Welcome to Camp Geronimo!
Camp Geronimo is a traditional Scout Resident Camp, that has been in operation for more than 65 years.
At 5200 feet above sea level and surrounded by one of the world’s largest Ponderosa Pine forests, Geronimo is tucked in at the base of the historic Mogollon Rim north of Payson. This area was a favorite place of famous author Zane Grey. Grey wrote many adventure style books, some of his most famous covered the early years of the territory that would eventually become the State of Arizona. Geronimo is a place of fun and tradition, that generations of Scouts have looked forward to each summer.
We offer many traditional camp merit badges at our Sunday to Saturday camp. Our schedule is packed full of different activities for your scouts, as well as for the adult leadership. We also boast a high adventure style program for your older participants. Come check us out!
Geronimo’s band was one of the last major forces of independent Native American warriors. They evaded thousands of Mexican and American troops for more than a year, making Geronimo the most famous Native American of the time.
Geronimo — “the one who yawns,” (June 1829 – February 17, 1909) was a prominent leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Apache tribe. From 1850 to 1886 Geronimo joined with members of three other Chiricahua Apache bands — the Tchihende, the Tsokanende and the Nednhi — to carry out numerous raids, as well as resistance to U.S. and Mexican military campaigns in the northern Mexico states of Chihuahua and Sonora, and in the southwestern American territories of New Mexico and Arizona.
Geronimo’s raids and related combat actions were a part of the prolonged period of the Apache–United States conflict, which started with American settlement in Apache lands following the end of the war with Mexico in 1848. While well known, Geronimo was not a chief among the Chiricahua or the Bedonkohe band. However, since he was a superb leader in raiding and warfare he frequently led large numbers of men and women beyond his own following. At any one time, about 30 to 50 Apaches would be following him.
